Cooler



March 20, 1934. F, G BAUM 1,951,962

COOLER Filed Feb. 1l, 1951 2 Sheets-Shee't l .f 42 y (z K f i s \///f4 f s v@ 72 I L })`il11111ii1l'.

ATTORNEY F. G. BAUM March l2O, 192;4.

coLER Filed Feb. l1, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV ENTOR fa/7K 6T 5mn/1.

ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 20, 1934 COOLER Frank G. Baum, Cassel, Calif.; Ester F. Born executrix of said FrankG. Baum, deceased Application February 11, 1931, serial No.'514,929

11 Claims.

Various devices for conditioning and cooling air applying the principle of evaporating water have been proposed and in many instances are being used for conditioning air in buildings frequented by the public at large such, for example, as theatres and hotels, and it is to such a device that my invention relates.

In general, the systems for washing and cooling air. heretofore in use include a chamber in which there is located a number of spray nozzles for producing a condition within the cham- 'ber simulating rain. The water is circulated in the chamber by means of pumps. A pressure blower is utilized to draw air through the chaml ber, at a low velocity, transverse to the direction of the spray. In this way, the air flowing through the chamber is washed, the dust particles carried by the air being removed therefrom by the particles of moisture from the spray nozzles. During its passage through the chamber the air evaporates some water and is cooled. The cooled and washed air is forced by the pressure blower -through a duct system by means of whichthe conditioned air is distributed throughout the building. The effectiveness of an air conditioning device of this type may be materially enhanced by properly and thoroughly mixing the lwater in iinely divided form with the air so that a condition simulating'a fog isobtained. This condition may be, and inaccordance with my invention is, obtained by creating in a small space the conditions existing in a tornado within which a spray is introduced due to an existing rain. The air in a tornado whirls rapidly in approximately horizontal circular paths and rises to the cooler air in the upper layers of the atmosphere. TheA rising movement of the air creates a suction which in conjunction with the rapid whirling movement of the air drives water 40 particles introduced therein into a very ne mist which is thoroughly mixed with the air.

I simulate the conditions existing in a tornado in which moisture is introduced by employing a fan within a casing for causing air to ow through the casing by way of the inlet and outlet openings and imparting to the air flowing through the casing a whirling motion. When operated, the fan creates a zone of reduced pressure or suction forwardly of the fan, relative to the direction of movement of air through the casing. In this zone of reduced pressure, I arrange a. spray device from which water is ejected in the form of a very fine spray. The spray formed by the spray device is divided by the suction action created by the fan and the whirling motion of the air into a fine mist which is thoroughly mixed with the air iiowing through the casing. o

Specincally, vI provide an air cooler and hu- Y midier which comprises a casing, the ends of 00 which are open and constitute inlet and outlet openings for air which is caused to ow through the casing. Within the casing there is an electric motor'. 'Ihe motor is mounted so that the shaft thereof is' parallel to the longitudinal axis U5 of the casing. Both ends of the motor shaft extend through the frame of the motor and a fan. is secured to each end of the shaft. The fan mounted forwardly of the motor, relative to the direction of movement of air flowing through the Y0 casing, creates a zone of reduced pressure or suction within the casing in advance 'of the fan and causes air to flow through the casing, imparting a whirling motion to the air as it flows through the casing. The fan to the rear of the motor draws the air through an outlet eliminator which is mounted between the fans and gives it the desired velocity as it issues from. the casing.

A The fan mounted forwardly of the motor is provided with an enlarged hub which has a peripheral portion o f channel shape 'in cross section, the anges of the channel shaped portion extending inwardly. From this hub, hollow radial arms extend outwardly, the interior of the arms being in communication with the channel shaped portion of the hub. The outer ends of the hollow radial arms are bent inwardly and-have nozzles secured on the ends thereof. Ifhe nozzles on the ends of the radial arms are located within the zone of re- .duced pressure created within the casing by the fan mounted forwardly thereof. The nozzles receive water from the hub through hollow radial arms, the water being delivered to the nozzles under pressure by virtue of the centrifugal force exerted on the water when the shaft is rotated. The spray formed .by the nozzles is driven into a mist by the reduced pressure or suction created by the vfan in the vicinity of which the nozzles are located, and the rapid whirling motion of the air within the casing. The rotating arms carrying the nozzles aids the fan in imparting a whirling motion to the air and with the fan aid in thoroughly mixing the ne mist with the air so that the condition Within the casing is similar to a fog.

Water is delivered to the channel shaped hub on the forward end of the motor shaft from a reservoir formed in the base of the casing at the inlet end thereof. The water is delivered from the reservoir through a hollow shaft extending over 110 the inner edge of the flange of the channel shaped peripheral portion of the hub to which shaft it is elevated by buckets fixed on the end` of and cornmunicating with hollow arms projecting radially from a hub that is rotatably mounted on the shaft. The lengthof the arms are such that the buckets extend into the reservoir and as the buckets are liftedthe water flows through the radial arms, and through a slot in the hollow shaft to the interior of the shaft. The water in the reservoir is maintained at a predetermined level by a float valve, and a valve is provided for regulating the amount of water deliveredffrom the reservoir to the radial arms. A water screen at the inlet end of the casing prevents Water from splashing out of the reservoir and through the end of the casing.

The outlet water screen which prevents moisture entrained in\ the air from'being carried out of the casing is located between the two fans and supports the motor. The baies of this eliminator are adjustable so that some moisture may be carried through the eliminator into the room, if desired.

A clearer'understanding of my invention will be had from the following detailed description of one embodiment thereof when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a longitudinal, irregular sectional elevation of an air cooler and humidifier embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse, sectional elevation taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse, sectional elevation taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a. transverse section of a water scree Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section of a shaft;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section illustrating a ball check valve;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of a modified form-of air conditioner;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional illustration of a modified form of spray nozzle;

and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vfragmentary section illustrating another modified form of spray nozzle.

The air conditioner` shown in the drawings is a portable unit of a capacity to condition the air in a single room and comprises a casing 1 which is rectangular in cross section. The top of the casing is open and is Vprovided with a cover 2 which may be made of glass if desired. The upperv edges of the sides of the casing lare bent to'form parallel inwardly extending side flanges 3 and 4 which form a slot on either side of the casing for the edges of the cover. Slightly to the left of the transverse center of the casing as shown in Fig. 1, there is formed in the base ofthe casing a reservoir 5 forholding a supply of water. The reservoir is supplied with water through a *pipe 6 on the end of which theren is a float valve 7 for maintaining the water in the reservoirat a constant level. The float valve is actuated by a lever 8 that is pivotally mounted between its ends on a rod 9 extending between the sides of the reservoir. One end of this rod is'secured to the valve and the other end of the rod is provided l with a float 10. The rod 9 on which the lever is pivoted is so located that the buoyancy'of the oat isy `sufficient to close the valve when the water 'in the reservoir is at a predetermined level which level is indicated by broken lines. To pre 'a fog.

" Within the casing to the right oi' the transverse center which is to the rear relative to the direction of movement of air through the casing, aymotor 12 is mounted so that the shaft thereof is parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe casing. The motor is supported by an outlet water screen 13 which is built in four sections, two side sections 13a and 13b, an upper section 13o, and. a lower section 13d. The four sections of the water screen are arranged Vso that a rectangular opening is provided through the water screen and in this opening the motor is mounted, a frame of resilient material being interposed -between the motor and the sides of the water screen sections. The motor is secured in the opening formed through the water screen by bolts 14 which extend through the base of the motor and secure the base to the lower section 13d of the water screen. The motor extends through the water screen at both ends and a shield 15 surrounding the motor isprovided for the motor which also extends through the water screen and is closed at the forward end thereof. On each end of the motor shaft 16 which extends through the motor frame at both ends, there is mounted a fan, 17a and 17h, the fans being arranged to cause air to flow through the casing from the left to the right of the casing as vshown in Figure l.

The amount of water required to be evaporated to lower the temperature of a given quantity of air a given number of degrees can be readily calculated, and roughly speaking, a pound of water must be evaporated for every 100 cubicfeet of air, the Ttemperature of which is to be lowered 10 F. To absorb water at this rate in a small 110 space such as that provided by the casing of the device shown in the drawings, the Water must be introduced into the air in a very fine mist and must be thoroughly mixed with the air so as to create a condition within the casing simulating 115 This condition may be obtained in a small space such as that provided by the casing of the air conditioner shown in thedrawingsA by simulating the conditions existing in a, tornado into which water is introduced. In the device 120 shown, these conditions are simulated. 'Ihe air is forced through the casing and given a rapid whirling motion similar to the movement of air in a tornado by the fan 17a mounted on the forward end of the motor shaft which creates a zone 125 of reduced pressure within the casing forwardly of the fan. The fan 17b draws the air through the eliminator 13 and discharges the 'air from the casing under pressure. This latter fan may be of the pressure type and designed to impart 130 the desired velocity and pressure to the air as it issues from the casing.

Water is introduced into the whirling air traveling through the casing in the form of a fine spray by centrifugal spray devices located forwardly of the fan 17a. 'Ihese spray devices are carried by the hub 18 of the fan 17a on the forward end of the shaft of the motor which hub is enlarged and is provided with a peripheral, cylindrical anyge 19. -The blades constituting the fan 14g 17a are mounted on the rear of the radial portion of the hub and the peripheral ange extends perpendicular to the plane of the blades and forwardly of the hub. An annular plate 20 is secured to the end of the flange 19 of the hub 18 and forms with the flange a peripheral portion of channel shape in cross section. Hollow radial arms 21 (shown as two in number) extend through the ange 19 in threaded engagement therewith and communicate with the channel shaped portion of the hub. The inner ends of the arms 21 extend a little inside of the inner surface of the flange 19 of the hub. In this way, particles of dirt are prevented from entering the arms as they will be forced against the inner surface of the flange 19 by centrifugal force. The outer ends of the arms 21 are curved inwardly and forwardly, away from the plane of the blades of the fan and have spray nozzles 22 secured thereto. The spray nozzles are in close proximity to the plane of the fan blades and within the zone of reduced -pressure created by the fan when the fan is rotated. Water delivered to the channel shaped portion of the hub is delivered through the hollow arms to the nozzles under pressure developed by the centrifugal action due to the rotation of the hub, and the water issues from these spray nozzles in'the form of a fine spray. The reduced pressure or suction created by the fanin the vicinity in which the nozzles are located, coupled with the rapid movement of the air, drives thisy spray into a finely dividedmist. The rotation of the arms aids the fan 17a in imparting a whirling motion to the air flowing Vthrough the casing which whirling motion of the air thoroughly mixes the fine mist with the air. It is desirable that the spray entering the air I be as fine spossible, and at the same time the nozzle openings should not be such that the nozzles will clog. The openings in the tips of the nozzles are made slightly larger than openings which would give the desired neness to the spray, and the spray is ejected against a xed fine mesh circular screen 23 through which it issuesin the desired form. The" screen 23 is semicircular in cross section andfis secured to the sides and bottom of the casing.

It is to be noted that the sprays are directed against the ow of air through the casing. This arrangement introduces the spray into the suction side of the fan 17a an'd has an effect, by virtue of the lfactthat the water particles travel rst against the 'flow of the air, come to rest and then travel with the airwhich is equivalent to lengthening the casing. A

` Water is delivered to the channel shaped portion of the hub, from which it is delivered to the nozzles by centrifugal force, through a hollow shaft 24 that is secured to and supported by a cross rod 25 secured at its end to the-sides of the casing and a vertical bar 26 secured-to the bottom of the casing. The shaft extends through aligned openings in the rods 25 and 26 and is heldin place by nuts 27 threaded on the shaft on either side of the rods. The end of the shaft is secured to the rods in position so that the opposite end of the shaft extends over the inner edge of the annular plate 20 forming one side or flange of the channel shaped portion of the hub. The shaft is eccentric to the shaft of the -motor and water flowing through the shaft will ow into the channel formed by the hub. A screen 28 secured to the hub and the inner edge of the annular flange serves to prevent foreign matter from entering the channel shaped portion of the hub with the water. The end of the shaft extending over the in the .opposite end of the shaft and by means of which the valve may bemanually opened and closed. This valve, which may be automatically operated, regulates the amount of moisture introduced into` the air and consequently the degree the air is cooled.

A'Ihe water is raised to the hollow shaft from the reservoir in the base of the casing by a plurality of radial arms 32, shown as four in number,

extending from a hub 33 rotatably mounted on the n shaft 24. The hollow arms extend'through the hub and communicate with the interior of the shaft through a radial slot 34 formed in the upper portion of the shaft. On the ends of each of these arms, which are of suicient length to extend into the reservoir in the bottom of the casing, there is a bucket 35. As the arms rotate, the buckets take water from the reservoir which flows down through the arms and into the radial slot in the shaft. Attached to the hub 33 there are vanes 36 which, when air ows through the casing, cause the arms to rotate about the hollow shaft. The arms, therefore, rotate at a speed proportional tothe rate of flow of air through the casing. In the device illustrated, the arms rotate very slowly approximately at the rate of 15 revolutions per n minute.

ter in the hub from passing through the passage 37. When the hub comes to rest, water remaining in the hub is drained therefrom through this passage and is returned to the reservoir.

Any unevaporated particles of moisture entrained in the air are eliminated by the outlet watervscreen 13. The sections of the outlet water screen each comprise a series of bales of substantially V-shape in cross section. Each of the bailles include two plates 39a and 39h inclined to each other and being secured to and supported by rods 40 extending along the sides of the-sections of the water screen. The plate 39h of the baies extends beyond the plane of intersection of the plates and forms a projecting ange 39e inclined to the direction of movement of air flowing through the water screen. These anges 39o serve to eliminate unevaporated particles of moisture entrained in the air. The rods 40 of the side sections 13a and 13b are rotatable so that the plates forming the baffles may be brought substantially parallel. Thus, the quantity of unevaporated moisture carried into the room, and therefore the humidity of the air in the room 'may be regulated.

The water screen 11 at the inlet end of the casing comprises a plurality of baffles 41 of substantially V-shape in cross section, the apex of the bales'being flat. 'Ihese baiiies are secured tothe air conditioner illustrated in Fig. '1, the hub Q33 of the Water lift is positively operated by the motor through a train of gears. On the end of the hub, there is secured a worm gear 44 which meshes with a worm 45 secured on one end of a shaft 46. The other end of the shaft 46 has a worm gear 47 secured thereto to rotate therewith. A worm 48 meshes with the worm gear 47 and is secured to the shaft of the motor by a flexible coupling 49. The speed ratio of the gear train just described is 79 to 1 so that if the motor shaft rotates at a speed of 1400 revolutions per minute the hub of the water lift will rotate at approximately 20 revolutions per minute.

The inlet water screen 50 of the air conditioner illustrated in Fig. '7 includes a series of inclined, parallel transverse bales 51. 'I'he baflles of the water screen at the inlet end of the casing are inclined downwardly from the outer to the inner side of the water screen. Through this water screen a shaft 52 extends. This shaft is connected to a stud 53 which is threaded in the end of the hollow shaft 24. The opposite end of the stud is connected to a valve 54 by a shaft 55. The valve may therefore be regulated from the outside of the casing by turning a knurled knob 56 secured in the end of the shaft outside the water screen.

The end of the shaft 24 extending towards the motor is secured in the sideof a container 57 and communicates with the container. The container is circular in cross section and at a point diametrically opposite to that at which the shaft enters through the wall of the container there is another shaft 58 which extends from the side of the container and over the flange`20 of the channel shaped portion of the hub 18. Water delivered to the shaft 24 by the .water lift passes through the container and into the shaft 58 through which it is delivered to the hub 18. In the container, there is a diagonal screen 59 which prevents dirt from passing along with the water to the hub 18. The container is also provided, at its bottom, with a drain valve 60 through which water in the container may be drained therefrom.

In Fig. 8, I have illustrated a device for dividing thespray which issues from the nozzle. This device consists of a rod 61 which is secured to the nozzle and extends forwardly thereof. The rod is bent at a right angle to form a flange 62 which extendsinto the line of the spray issuing from the nozzle. The end of the flange 62 extending into the spray issuing from the nozzle is tapered to a knife edge. As the particles of moisture issuing from the spray nozzle strike the knife edge they are divided into a ne mist.

Fig. 9 illustrates another way in which the pari ticles issuing from the-spray nozzle may bedivided so as to form a mist. In this instance there is provided an annular plate 63 which ts over the hollow arm 21 and abuts against the nozzle 22 secured on the end of the arm. To this annular plate there' is secured a conical screen 64 through -in the details of the embodiment shown in the drawings and described above within the principle and scope of my invention as expressed in'the appended claims.

I claim:

l. An air conditioner comprising a casing having air inlet and outlet openingaa motor Within the casing, the shaft of the motor being disposed longitudinally of the casing and extending through both ends of the frame of the motor, a fan secured on each end of the shaft of the motor, the fan mounted forwardly of the motor relative to the direction of travel ofair flowing through the casing being adapted to cause air to I ow through the casing and impart a, whirling motion thereto and the 'fan to )the rear of the motor being adapted-to draw air through the casing and force the air outof the casing under pressure, a spray device mounted forwardlyof said fan on the forward end of the motor shaft, means for delivering water to said spray device, and an eliminator between the fans for eliminating particles of unevaporated moisture entrained in'the air and constituting a support for the motor.

2. An air conditioner comprising a casing having air inlet and outlet openings, a motor mounted horizontally within the casing, a fan secured to the motor shaft andadapted to be rotated thereby in a substantially vertical plane for causing a movement of air through the casing,

a hub secured to the shaft of the motor and having an outer peripheral portion of channel shape@ in cross section, the flanges of the channel shaped portion extending inwardly, arms extending from said hub and having passages therethrough longitudinally thereof in communication with the channel formed in the hub, spray devices on said arms, a reservoir in the bottom of the casing, and means for raising water from the reservoir to the channel formed in the hub.

3. An air conditioner comprising a casing having inlet and outlet openings and a reservoir formed in the bottomthereof, a motor mountedv horizontally within the casing, a fan secured to the shaft of the motor and adapted to be rotated in a substantially vertical plane, al hub secured to the shaft of the motor and having a peripheral portion of channel shape in cross section, the flanges of the channel shaped portion extending inwardly, arms extending from said hub and having passages .therethrough longitudinally thereof in communication withjthe channel formed in the hub, spray devices on said arms, and a plurality of rotatably mounted buckets for raising water from lthe reservoir in thebottomof the casing to the channel formed in the hub. 4. An air conditioner comprising a casing' hav- 11 ing inlet and outlet openings and a reservoir formed in the bottom thereof, a motor mounted horizontally within the casing, a fan secured to the shaft of the motor and adapted to be rotated in a substantially vertical'plane, a hub secured 120 to the shaft of the motor and having a peripheral portion of channel shape in cross section, the flanges of the channel shaped portion-extending inwardly, arms extending from said hub and having passages therethrough longitudinally thereof in communication with the channel formed in the hub, spray devices on said arms, a hollow shaft, extending over a flange lof the -channel for'med in the hub, a plurality of arms extending from the hollow shaft and having passages therethrough in communication with the interior of the shaft, buckets on the ends of said arms adapted to extend into the reservoir in the casing, and means for rotating the arms with the buckets for raising water from the reservoir and delivering it to the channel formed in the hub. u

5. An air conditioner comprising a casing having inlet and outlet openings and a reservoir formed in the bottom thereof, a motor mounted 'horizontally within the casing, a fan secured to 140 the shaft of the motor and adapted to be rotated in a substantially vertical plane, a hub-secured to the shaft of the motor and having a peripheral portion of channel shape in cross section, the flanges of the channel shaped portion extending inwardly, arms extending from said hub and having passages' therethrough 'longitudinally thereof in communication with the channel formed in the hub, spray devices on said arms, a. hollow shaft extending over a flange of the channel formed in the hub, a plurality of arms extending from a hub on the hollow shaft and hav ing passages therethrough in communication with the interior of the hollow shaft, buckets on the ends of said arms adapted to extend into the reservoir in the casing, and vanes on said hub for causing the arms to rotate and raise water from the reservoir to the channel formed in the hub when air flows through the casing.

6. An air conditioner comprising a casing having inlet and outlet openings and a reservoir formed in the bottom thereof, a motor mounted horizontally within the casing, a fan secured to the shaft of the motor and adapted to be rotated in a substantially vertical plane, a hub secured to the shaft of the motor and having a peripheraly portion of channel shape in cross section, the

iianges of the channel shaped portion extending f inwardly, arms extending from said hub and having passages therethrough longitudinally thereof in communication with the channelformed in the hub, spray devices on said arms, a hollow shaft extending over a fiange of the channel formed in the hub, a plurality of arms extending from the hollow shaft and having passages therethrough in communication with the interior of the hollow shaft, buckets on the ends of said arms adapted to extend into thereservoir in the casing, vanes connected to said arms for causing the arms to rotate and raise water from the reservoir to the channel formed in the hub when air ows through the casing, and a valve cooperating with vsaid hollow shaft for regulating the quantity of water delivered to the channel formed in the hub.

7.-An air conditioner comprising a casing having air inlet and outlet openings and a reservoir formed in the bottom thereof adjacent the inlet opening, an eliminator at 'the air inlet, another eliminator intermediate the ends of the casing for'eliminating free unevaporated particles entrainedV in air passing through the casing, a

- motor mounted horizontally within the casing and supported by said second mentioned eliminator, the shaft of the motor extending through both ends of the motor frame, a fan secured to each end of the motor shaft and adapted tov be rotated-in asubstantially vertical plane, a hub secured to the forward end of the shaft of the motor relative to the direction of movement of air through the casing, the hub havinga peripheral portion of channel shape in cross section, the flanges of the channel shaped portion extending inwardly, arms extending from said hub and having passages therethrough longitudinally thereof in communication with the channel formed in the hub, spray devices on said arms, a ilxed screenagainst which the spray devices are directed,a hollow shaft mounted so that the vend thereof extends over the inner edge of a flange ofthe chantherein, an electric motor within said casing having the shaft thereof extending through opposite ends of the frame adjacent the openings in said casing, fans within said casing mounted on the extended ends of said shaft for causing air to `flow through thecasing by way of the openings, a

transverse screen Within said casing between said fans, a centrifugal spray distributor mounted on v the shaft of the motor adjacent the inlet to the` casing, and a spray forming device within thecasing directed toward the distributor.

9. An air cooler and humidifier comprising a easing having opposed inlet and outlet openings therein, an electric motor within the casing having the. shaft thereof extending through opposite ends of the frame adjacent the openings in the casing, fans ywithin said casing mounted on the extended ends of said shaft for causing air to flow through the casing by way of the openings, a transverse screen within the casing between the fans, a centrifugal spray distributor associated with the fan at the inlet end, and means for delivering water thereto. 4

10. In an air conditioner, a casing having spaced inletand outlet openings therein, an electric motor disposed within said casing, said motor having the shaft thereof extending through opposite ends of -the motor frame towards the opening in said casing, fans within said casing mounted upon the extended ends of said shaft forcausing air to now through said casing by way of said openings, a transverse screen within said casing between said fans,`and means for introducing moisture into the air flowing through'the casing in advance of thev screen therein relative to the direction of movement of air within the casing. e

11. In an air conditioner, a casing having spaced inlet and outlet openings therein, an electric motor disposed within said casing, the. shaft of said motor extending through opposite ends of the motor frame toward the openings in said casing, fans within said casing mounted on the extended ends of said shaft for causingfair to flow through -said casing by way of said openings, atrans- 1 

